Let's Get Physical: A Workout Playlist of Upbeat Music

Since I was young, I could never engage in any form of physical activity without music. Whether I am walking, completing household tasks, doing cardio workouts or dancing, I am always attached to my iPhone or iPad where I can enjoy listening to music. When I have music on, I feel more motivated to exercise and stay active, as opposed to when I am not listening to music.

The genre of music depends on whether I am doing yoga or any form of intense workout such as fitness dance. That being said, I mainly listen to any type of upbeat music when I am doing any kind of cardio or intense workout. I love listening to genres such as techno, house, electronic, drum and bass, alternative rock, punk rock, grunge music, indie, rap and hip-hop, because they give my energy a good boost. Many of the songs I listen to are in English and in other languages such as Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, German, Russian, Tagalog, Macedonian, and many more! I always smile, laugh, dance, and continue moving when I listen to upbeat music.

Lately, I have been motivated to stay active with all kinds of engaging activities like fitness dance, walking, hiking, and simple aerobic workouts at home. Thanks to all the songs I have discovered, I have been even more inspired to workout and continue pursuing fitness dance.

Here are some of my favourite singles and playlists of songs to get moving to!

1. Tidal Waves by Itro and Kedo Rebelle

As of August 2020, this song is one of my new favourites! As soon as I spontaneously discovered this song on Apple Music, I listened to it repetitively. The first time I listened to it, I was dancing at the park and couldn't stop dancing as I was walking to the bus stop! Out of all the DJ's and EDM artists that I have listened to and valued over the last four years, Itro is on the top of my list! I admire his phenomal musical and creative abilities to create such songs! The fast and melodic beats, and the lyrics by Kedo Revelle are the two components that compromise a fantastic musical piece! This song totally get me moving and engaged in many activities such as dance and aerobics! You want to get moving and engaged?? Give this song a listen!

2. Vietnamese Playlist of Instrumental Organ Music

Over the course of the pandemic, I have been searching for other EDM singles and playlists in various languages such as Vietnamese. This playlist is a collection of instrumental electronic organ hits that are created by a talented and gifted Vietnamese musician. Whether I am doing housework, heavy workouts at home or dancing, this playlist always gets my legs and arms moving to the magical beat!

3. Time to Pretend by MGMT (DMoe Funk Club Mix)

Out of all my favourite songs, Time to Pretend is my 4th favourite song. After hearing this song being played at one of my volunteer jobs, I have listened to the original version of Time to Pretend repetitively. The MGMT is an amazing Indie group, and this song gives my energy a good kick! I mainly listen to the original version of the song while I am walking outside in nature. The remixed version of this song is only accessible on YouTube, so I usually listen to it during my home workouts and other in-home physical activities such as cleaning. To all of the MGMT and Indie music fans out there, this song is worth the listen! You will love both the original and this remixed version of Time to Pretend!

4. Playlist of Mandarin Techno/EDM Hits from 2012

Since June 2020, I have been enjoying a variety of Mandarin techno, disco and EDM hits and playlists by this awesome and musically gifted artist named DJ Tsang. I love the mood and the effort that is put into all these songs, which is why I always listen to this playlist when I am dancing or doing other physical activities at home. Although these songs are quite old, I recommend it for all of the EDM music fans out there! These songs will increase your energy and motivation to work out.

5. Ike Ike by the Hinoi Team

This is one of the perfect songs to dance to! I have been practicing this dance since September 2020, after randomly searcing for JPop songs one night. I was in the mood for some upbeat, energetic and electronic Japanese music from any era, but this song spontaneously caught my eye. Since one of my new year's resolutions is to dance more, this song by the Hinoi Team gave me some extra dance inspiration and has got me moving since the first night I listened to this song! For all JPop and exercise enthusiasts, this is definitely a song to consider and add to your workout playlists!

6. Playlist of Russian EDM Music from 2014

Many of these Russian disco hits have such an intense beat that makes me want to run, walk, jog and boogey every time. Asides from enjoying the beat and all of the instruments used in the songs, I love some of the artists and their voices. Some of the artists have voices like diamonds and their songs are very comforting to listen to. Since I have been dancing a lot, this song has also got me into at-home fitness dance! For all the Russian speakers out there, consider this song for your next intense workout!

7. Pwny Anthem by Archie

Another talented EDM artist that I recommend is Archie! Archie's song will boost your mood, energy and get you on your feet for the better! This song can be included into many activities such as walking, dancing, playing sports, hiking, running, jogging and aerobics! I ultimately listen to this song when I am hiking, walking, dancing or doing my household chores. This song can be played and downloaded for free on YouTube, SoundCloud and Apple Music. If you have never listened to this hit before, I recommend it for your next workout! Search for his other songs as well!

8. Cloud 9 by Itro and Tobu

In addition to Itro, Tobu is another EDM artist that I value. A few years ago, I discovered one of Tobu's songs Puzzle and listened to it as I was enjoying the swings at the local park with my friend. After that one gorgeous sunny afternoon at the park, I began obsessing over Tobu and his other songs. Cloud 9 was recently discovered, after watching several YouTube videos that had this song as the intro and outro. This song gives me some dance and workout inspiration, since I am keen on learning how to shuffle and electro dance in the new year. I love the beat and the mood in the song, just like in all of Tobu and Itro's songs I have listened to over the years. This is definitely a song to consider and listen to at the gym, on your walks and during your home workouts!

Any other thoughts??

I have too many favourite songs that I listen to during my workouts, so it is impossible for me to name them all at the moment. Since the pandemic began, I have been pushing myself to enjoy and savour at-home physical activity to avoid the disappointment of not going to the gym. Even though the gyms were open closer to the end of the summer, I have not been comfortable entering the gym. I wanted to avoid unnecessary exposure, so stuck to home workouts and outdoor exercises as much as possible. COVID-19 was no excuse to not move, stay fit and stay healthy!

As I have explained many times, I cannot engage in any physical activity without music. I am always on the hunt for new techno, dance, EDM, rock, indie, alternative and hip-hip songs that I can enjoy listening to. Since I have been really into different kinds of physical activity and continuing to lose weight, music has been giving me some extra inspiration. If it wasn't for music and all those other artists that I value, I wouldn't have reached my goal of increasing physical activity and staying health and safe at home!